TRAVEL DIARY

A weblog regularly updated by Jodi Rose.

  

VIEWING ALL POSTS FOR: NOVEMBER 2003

Sunday, November 30, 2003

3:18 PM
Posted by jodi rose

...and then my slightly bruised faith in humanity was restored.
It all started on Thursday night when I ventured out to St Kilda's Linden gallery for David Young's 'Instrument Building,' (www.aphids.net) which I hoped was going to be a performance actually playing the building as an instrument, but turned out to be people making a variety of instruments in the building. Some were beautiful and strange, and I did play the resonant guitar strings set up in a doorway - hard to explain, but sounded great, and met a fabulous couple one of whom made violins.

Then wandered down to the beach and was chilling out watching the waves and sunset, thinking, this is good for the soul, when this girl came over and said, 'you look a bit upset. would you like to come and have a beer with us?' how cute is that. She was lovely, completely genuine and friendly and it was the nicest thing anyone has said to me in weeks, so I almost cried, even though I didn't feel that upset, just a bit lonely and sad about the whole wearing your heart on your sleeve and having it ignored.... again..... thing. So I ended up having a great night, Ruth and Ben both really cool, interesting, fun, intelligent, adventurous, lovely people - we got on like old friends reunited, went to dinner at Bluecorn, interesting mexican which I have been wanting to try for ages, talked for hours they gave me a ride home and we're catching up for a game of pool or a drink in the next few days.

I'm a simple girl at heart, that's all I ask - is for people to hang out with and enjoy life now and then. (oh, ok I'm askin' for a lot more than that, but, for right now, it's a damn good start)
It confused me for a minute when I noticed I had been talking for a while and realised they kept asking questions and seemed genuinely interested in who I was and what I had to say. Have been around too many self-absorbed people lately, so that was something of a novelty. (not my close friends, but other cameo players). I guess leaving Collingwood sometimes is a good thing!

One of those experiences you have more when travelling, and open to the world, it was a really timely reminder for me that there are fantastic, open, engaging, adventurous people out there and you will find each other. Leave the grumpy old men at the bar to drink themselves into a stupor.

It's suddenly turned insanely hectic, with multiple social and cultural stuff to do almost every night. Went to Bar Open for Leroy's band Maximus Bouffantas after the lollyshop on Friday, they were funking it up and had a small dance with Kim and the other lollykids. Then last night caught the train out to Footscray for Snuff Puppets and Acrobat combined show, Circus Ole!

.....more about that later, now I have to run off to a housewarming party.... then go home and collapse on the couch on our front porch.

Thursday, November 27, 2003

10:40 AM
Posted by jodi rose

well it seems that my fantasy of moving to new zealand sometime in the future for a quiet life away from the pressures of the world, is well and truly shattered. reading gourmet traveller at a friends (newly purchased) house yesterday - yes, aspirational magazine reading! - and Waiheke Island, the artists community off Auckland is well and truly in the big time, with waterfront property going for a million dollars, and 35 vineyards and lots of b&b's. Wellington is on the map of course after lord of the rings, and now the world knows about nz. I guess I can always go back to the farm and hang out there, Takaka is pretty special. Can't wait to be there for xmas - the first time since I was 12! Spending some time on the farm after, picking kiwi fruits and maybe even learning to milk cows - with the machine though, not by hand. I used to be scared of the cows as a little girl, the way they just stood there, chewing, inscrutable with their big eyes and long lashes.
I restrained myself from putting up the rant I had on Saturday night, when the two people I ended up drinking with at a bar sneaked off together, leaving me alone at 2am surrounded by drunk rugby fans. Gee, nice work guys, you're all class! Modern etiquette note: wether you are going home together or just calling it a night, at least make the effort to say goodbye to the person you're drinking with and talking to for the last 2-3 hours, even if you can't get past your own self-interest enough to ask if they're ok to get home.
So, that's an abbreviated version of the three pages of diatribe - like Beyonce, I'm not gonna diss you on the internet cause my momma taught me better than that!
well, maybe just a little dissin but man it's deserved...
NB breaking news - I have had an apology from one of these miscreants today, who cited extreme drunkenness as the excuse. hmmmmm...... I'm still not sure if I'm talking to him again.
The lesson I have taken from this experience is not to waste my time and energy with people who evidently have no respect or interest in me as a human being - there are plenty of people out there who think I'm pretty fantastic and special and excellent and really enjoy my company. I think as humans we often get caught up in trying to get the attention and approval of the one person in 10 who really doesn't 'get' us, wether a parent, friend, love interest or whatever. And it's not very healthy for us.
Anyway, it's party season again, I've made a vow not to binge drink any more, the hangover and heartache just isn't worth those few hours of thinking you're having a really great time. Lethal disco this saturday, the purple wig is coming out for a command performance - figure I can punctuate my time in melbourne with an appearance in the farrah fawcett hair - wore it to Bridget's 'debutante' party when I first arrived here, and in light of my imminent departure it seems appropriate. Yes, I will be back, but who knows what might happen after 6 months in sydney. A year on the farm recovering will probably be in order.
I've taken 2 months holiday from the masters writing, hope to come back to it refreshed and rejuvenated with a new perspective and enthusiasm. SO much work to do on the rest of the project, getting the CD together, playing with my own compositions and remixes, dreaming up some new bridge symphony strategies.
that's all for now, tonight I'm off to hear Linden gallery being played as an instrument by david young from aphids and friends... will report back on the sound.

Sunday, November 23, 2003

2:52 AM
Posted by jodi rose

I keep reading articles in the newspaper over the last few months about the deterioration of relationships in Australia, our growing isolation and increase in the chronically single lifestyle. Some people say it's women's fault for expecting 'too much' and we should settle for 'mr maybe right for now' to have babies - or ms, but that's another story - then conflicting columns talk about the hard work and strain of having a new born baby and how much stress that puts on the relationship, which if you weren't happy in it to start with you're sure as hell not going to be after months of sleep deprivation, crying and changing nappies. So why settle? Not that I'm even looking to have one of the little cherubs in the near future, I'm perfectly happy being an auntie to many of my friends kids, and being able to give them back. But the number of people I know, male and female, who profess to be searching for a partner and are out dating but complain that no-one is ever right - either she burped on the phone, or there was no chemistry, or he was too boring, or too eager - the whole 'sex and the city' catalogue of misdemeanours, which leads me to think that maybe we do need to start looking at our own expectations of a romantic partner. No-one person can fulfil all the criteria we carry in our heads for 'true love' to blossom, there is always going to be something that bugs you or isn't right about the other person - but you love them with all their 'faults', as a wonderful, unique human being. Right? And hope that they have the same compassion and tolerance for the ways you act that might give them pause in falling for you. I think it's about learning that people express love in different ways to how you think it should be done, and giving them credit for feeling and communicating in their own style. Is that possible? I think so. I've heard some great love stories recently, from a couple who were suspended in a cage setting off fireworks for a new years eve spectacular, she had no interest in him, but they kissed because... well they were there and it was the thing to do, and have been together ever since. Another friend saw a boy she liked the look of in a pub 6 months ago, her friend the bartender sent her over to the table with his drinks (Guiness), she ended up driving him home and they're getting married in 6 months. Romance is truly alive and happening, but it only happens if someone takes a risk. And the whole 'men partnering down' chestnut really needs an update. Apparently as an educated single woman over 30 I am twice as likely to be childless and alone than someone who didn't finish high school. Well great. Look where trying to make something of your life for yourself gets you......
At some point one of you has to be brave, or we all end up alone. I've been canvassing opinion on the topic and one of the frequently repeated lines is that men are scared of women. Well, get over it boys. There's nothing to be scared of, you can in fact relate to and approach women as normal human beings, it's not that big a deal. You just have to keep trusting that even if the conversation goes nowhere, at least you're having it, and as my friend Torben used to say, every conversation is an invitation. Those same boys who claim they would love a girl to ask them out, or make a move are also the ones who run screaming when it does happen. I read something about that recently too, that women are used to sexual advances from a wide range of men, many of whom they wouldn't consider in the least attractive, but who obviously have plenty of self-confidence and think they're pretty hot - while it's such an unusual experience for men, that the women they imagine asking them out are always impossibly gorgeous, playboy bunny types, so they're mighty disappointed when it's the girl down the road who might be a little plump, or have a kid, or be really nervous and awkward, or not look conventionally beautiful.

If we all gave one another the chance, who knows where it might lead! So get out there and put yourself on the line, try one act of braveness this week. Or is that bravery? Another friend Sue used to challenge herself every day to get up on the trapeze, and overcome all the fears she had of falling, slipping, getting stuck up there.
Life is a trapeze. You can't be standing on the ground looking up the whole time, at all the possibilities and wondering what it's like, trying to imagine how it feels up there. You have to get up, climb the rope and experience it for yourself. Swing it baby.
Good lord, I'm sounding like an American motivational speaker again. 'Swing it baby"?! Who on earth talks like that!? I mean, really. Anyone who has been following these travels for a while may have heard this before, but I am definitely writing that self help book once I get this bridge project finished.
'Free yourself and follow your dreams' or is that already written? It's a snappy title for sure. Going to be a sassy, slightly eccentric - or shall we say 'quirky'? - guide to getting more out of life for the jaded yet still hopeful urban sophisticate who is sure they used to have a passion for something, but can't quite remember what it is right now. That was me 3 years ago, sitting at the kitchen table in my share house, talking with my flatmate about how I was going to be someone, there must be more to life than this. Unemployed, single - hey the perfect time to take off on your wildest adventure, you've got nothing to lose. What the hell, you might as well.
Had a fun adventure last night, got home from drinks for the recently engaged friend's birthday, chilling out on the couch flipping between rage and mtv europe music awards, when suddenly I heard loud rock music outside. Got up, went out to investigate - all the neighbours were peering out their windows, or like me out on the street in their pyjamas, Chris the boy next door and I walked down to find out what was happening. This very fucking cool live band playing in the funky arty house 5 doors down, where Lyndal Walker lives and Molly, the lovely girl who Chloe always barks at. So I went home, got dressed and Philippa came down with me - we were actually invited at this point, so it wasn't really crashing - ran into lots of people we knew, very happening 80's retro crowd - I'm getting this a lot lately, where it feels like I've wandered into a school disco, circa 1985. Spooky. They were very hip and fairly friendly, the band rocked - 'bambam', lead singer was this totally hot girl, kind of Betty Page goes rock'n'roll, she was sexy and sassy and had a great voice, totally wild performer in knee high boots, a leather mini, thick silver choker, long black hair in a ponytail. Stayed at the party until 3am, proving that sometimes you barely have to leave home to have a cool adventure! Molly dropped by today to say thanks for coming - cute - one of the neighbours, crazy guy across the lane smashed a window in his fury at the noise, and the police made 3 visits, but no arrests.

Sunday, November 23, 2003

2:26 AM
Posted by jodi rose

[ Thu Nov 27, 11:26:46 AM | jodi rose | edit ]
testing testing 123.....
let's see if this messing with time and date business really works!

..... that's fun! I like messing with time!

Sunday, November 16, 2003

10:04 AM
Posted by jodi rose

...from last sunday 16th november

I keep reading articles in the newspaper over the last few months about the deterioration of relationships in Australia, our growing isolation and increase in the chronically single lifestyle. Some people say it's women's fault for expecting 'too much' and we should settle for 'mr maybe right for now' to have babies - or ms, but that's another story - then conflicting columns talk about the hard work and strain of having a new born baby and how much stress that puts on the relationship, which if you weren't happy in it to start with you're sure as hell not going to be after months of sleep deprivation, crying and changing nappies. So why settle? Not that I'm even looking to have one of the little cherubs in the near future, I'm perfectly happy being an auntie to many of my friends kids, and being able to give them back. But the number of people I know, male and female, who profess to be searching for a partner and are out dating but complain that no-one is ever right - either she burped on the phone, or there was no chemistry, or he was too boring, or too eager - the whole 'sex and the city' catalogue of misdemeanours, which leads me to think that maybe we do need to start looking at our own expectations of a romantic partner. No-one person can fulfil all the criteria we carry in our heads for 'true love' to blossom, there is always going to be something that bugs you or isn't right about the other person - but you love them with all their 'faults', as a wonderful, unique human being. Right? And hope that they have the same compassion and tolerance for the ways you act that might give them pause in falling for you. I think it's about learning that people express love in different ways to how you think it should be done, and giving them credit for feeling and communicating in their own style. Is that possible? I think so. I've heard some great love stories recently, from a couple who were suspended in a cage setting off fireworks for a new years eve spectacular, she had no interest in him, but they kissed because... well they were there and it was the thing to do, and have been together ever since. Another friend saw a boy she liked the look of in a pub 6 months ago, her friend the bartender sent her over to the table with his drinks (Guiness), she ended up driving him home and they're getting married in 6 months. Romance is truly alive and happening, but it only happens if someone takes a risk.

And as for that whole 'men partnering down and women partnering up' chestnut, give me a fucking break!... Another article with statistics that women who have a higher education are twice as likely to be single and childless in their 30's. Great, so what was the point of getting out and making something of your life, not waiting for a man (or partner) to 'complete' you? Or is it just that men are terrified of intelligent women? Although, it wouldn't surprise me, the boy down the road was frightened by a cup of tea...... That's right, people keep telling me men are scared of women, fullstop. Why? We're really not that mysterious. Or at least I'm not. although someone told me he thought he 'knew me too well' because of my website. Honey, you don't know nuthin'!

At some point one of you has to be brave, or we all end up alone. I've been canvassing opinion on the topic and one of the frequently repeated lines is that men are scared of women. Well, get over it boys. There's nothing to be scared of, you can in fact relate to and approach women as normal human beings, it's not that big a deal. You just have to keep trusting that even if the conversation goes nowhere, at least you're having it, and as my friend Torben used to say, every conversation is an invitation. Those same boys who claim they would love a girl to ask them out, or make a move are also the ones who run screaming when it does happen. I read something about that recently too, that women are used to sexual advances from a wide range of men, many of whom they wouldn't consider in the least attractive, but who obviously have plenty of self-confidence and think they're pretty hot - while it's such an unusual experience for men, that the women they imagine asking them out are always impossibly gorgeous, playboy bunny types, so they're mighty disappointed when it's the girl down the road who might be a little plump, or have a kid, or be really nervous and awkward, or not look conventionally beautiful.

If we all gave one another the chance, who knows where it might lead! So get out there and put yourself on the line, try one act of braveness this week. Or is that bravery? Another friend Sue used to challenge herself every day to get up on the trapeze, and overcome all the fears she had of falling, slipping, getting stuck up there.

Life is a trapeze. You can't be standing on the ground looking up the whole time, at all the possibilities and wondering what it's like, trying to imagine how it feels up there. You have to get up, climb the rope and experience it for yourself. Swing it baby.

Good lord, I'm sounding like an American motivational speaker again. 'Swing it baby"?! Who on earth talks like that!? I mean, really. Anyone who has been following these travels for a while may have heard this before, but I am definitely writing that self help book once I get this bridge project finished.
'Free yourself and follow your dreams' or is that already written? It's a snappy title for sure. Going to be a sassy, slightly eccentric - or shall we say 'quirky'? - guide to getting more out of life for the jaded yet still hopeful urban sophisticate who is sure they used to have a passion for something, but can't quite remember what it is right now. That was me 3 years ago, sitting at the kitchen table in my share house, talking with my flatmate about how I was going to be someone, there must be more to life than this. Unemployed, single - hey the perfect time to take off on your wildest adventure, you've got nothing to lose. What the hell, you might as well.
Had a fun adventure last night, got home from drinks for the recently engaged friend's birthday, chilling out on the couch flipping between rage and mtv europe music awards, when suddenly I heard loud rock music outside. Got up, went out to investigate - all the neighbours were peering out their windows, or like me out on the street in their pyjamas, Chris the boy next door and I walked down to find out what was happening. This very fucking cool live band playing in the funky arty house 5 doors down, where Lyndal Walker lives and Molly, the lovely girl who Chloe always barks at. So I went home, got dressed and Philippa came down with me - we were actually invited at this point, so it wasn't really crashing - ran into lots of people we knew, very happening 80's retro crowd - I'm getting this a lot lately, where it feels like I've wandered into a school disco, circa 1985. Spooky. They were very hip and fairly friendly, the band rocked - the bam bams, lead singer was this totally hot girl, kind of Betty Page goes rock'n'roll, she was sexy and sassy and had a great voice, totally wild performer in knee high boots, a leather mini, thick silver choker, long black hair in a ponytail. Stayed at the party until 3am, proving that sometimes you barely have to leave home to have a cool adventure! Molly dropped by today to say thanks for coming - cute - one of the neighbours, crazy guy across the lane smashed a window in his fury at the noise, and the police made 3 visits, but no arrests.

Wednesday, November 05, 2003

9:43 PM
Posted by jodi rose

Backed a winner on the melbourne cup, won enough to cover my bets. Only gamble what you can afford to lose, Lisa's dad always tells me. Absolutely fine and sensible advice in regards to money, but what about adventure and freedom? Sometimes you need to be prepared to lose quite a lot to get anywhere in life. Just finished reading 'the bride stripped bare' (typed that as 'bridge' which could be a whole other story) and found it mostly tedious, the narrator was such a self-involved spineless character, I didn't much care about her decisions or experiences. Had an occasional flicker or interest and empathy, but never really got her cruelty and manipulation. Sure it's about a woman reclaiming her right to be judgemental and selfish and behave badly, but maybe those things don't have to be learned or used on other people, just because you've had a hard time. It bothered me that she never gave in to love, not with her husband or her lover, she was always distant and self-conscious.
OK, enough of the ranting. It's good to be reading fiction again, I worry that I will use reading as an escape and never emerge from back into the world, once I pick up a book. It used to be like that when I was a kid, that was the only way to switch the world off and retreat into my own space.
Now, well there are all kinds of withdrawing, and I aspire to be someone who says YES to life. Not maybe, or later, or I can't be bothered. YES, Bring it on!!!
Went out last week to a friends birthday drinks at this bar on smith st which happened to also have an art opening of political street protest art - fantastic crowd, young, subversive and friendly. It felt like I was travelling in another country, such a different world to the usual crowd I mix with. Decided I liked living as though travelling, it's a good way to stay open and keep having adventures and experiencing life, not getting stuck in the smallness of your routine. Not that I have a routine. But if I did, I'd be stuck. As it is I'm stuck in an amorphous, fluid vacuum, kind of like anti-matter persian fairy floss. Not quite sticky enough to bind me anywhere, but strangely light and difficult to get out of. Ephemeral, that's how I feel. Making an attempt to be solid and grounded and focused right now, but keep drifting off into the world of possibility and where is my life going. It gets exhausting, I tell you. Maybe one just needs to let go, stop trying and follow the path as it unfolds. Reading technology as symptom and dream, mind filled with the language of bridges. The nights are warm and sweet, filled with promise.

Not sure if I've mentioned this already, but go check out the new 'documentation' page on the website. Thanks to the wonderful Jonathon, lots of photos and stories about my trip to record bridges, and even a few images.
Also while I'm blowing my own bridge..... this months LIMELIGHT magazine - Your monthly arts and entertainment - features a lovely 2 page article on the bridges project and my upcoming residency at ABC Radio. Sadly this will no longer be with The Listening Room, due to its sad and untimely demise, however I am assured that the residency will go ahead, somewhere in the ABC. So that's where life is going next year.
And for now, keep on reading, sending out CDs, getting that remix album together, writing chapters for thesis, going out and getting involved in the world.